Blake speaks with Simon Hudson, operator and co-lead of Botto DAO. Botto is an autonomous artist which has sold over $5 million worth of its 1 of 1 NFT artworks. It also has a solo show (October 19th-23rd) and auction (October 17-24) at Sotheby’s this week!

In a future where creativity is automated, where is a human's place in it? Blake and Simon discuss this question and how Botto attempts to answer it.

The convo revolves around how AI, art and crypto intersect, as Botto represents (in Blake’s opinion) the best of how art can and is used as a tool to engage, teach and familiarize people with innovation and emerging technology.

Throughout the discussion, Simon outlines the long history of automating intelligence, asks who decides and defines what (good) art is and highlights how Botto demonstrates what is truly possible when combining DAOs with AI governance.

This is an essential listen for anyone wanting to learn about how AI will (and does) impact creativity and creative industries.

Botto’s X: https://twitter.com/bottoproject

Botto’s Website: https://botto.com/

Simon’s X: https://twitter.com/hudsonsims

Botto’s Auction Details at Sotheby’s: https://www.sothebys.com/en/auction-catalogue/2024/exorbitant-stage-botto-a-decentralized-ai-artist-NFN104?s=details&locale=en

Blake’s X: https://twitter.com/blakefinucane

Boys Club Newsletter: https://boysclub.beehiiv.com/

Blake speaks with 3 fellow members of the Blueprint by Bello Creator’s Program, Cohort 1.

Naomi Metzger is a 11 time British Triple Jump National Champion, Sara Phillips is a decorated musician who has over 300,000 monthly listeners on Spotify and Shavonne Wong is a internationally exhibited artist who made Vogue’s first NFT cover.

The 4 of them get together to discuss their experience in the Blueprint program. They detail how and why they’ve put their content on chain and the tremendous opportunities that it brings in terms of economic upsides and increased distribution and exposure. They continue by discussing the ins and outs of what it takes to go viral on chain and how they leverage decentralized social media platforms like Orb and Warpcast to build their audience.

This episode is kindly supported by Lens, who continues to provide the tools for creators to go viral on chain.

This is a must listen if you are a creator…putting your content on chain can actually change your life, and this episode will prove why.

Naomi’s X: https://twitter.com/afrochicksnft

Shavonne’s X: https://twitter.com/shavonnewong_

Sara’s X: https://twitter.com/Sara_JPhillips

BluePrint by Bello website: https://blueprint.bello.lol/

Lens X: https://twitter.com/LensProtocol

Lens Website: https://www.lens.xyz/

Blake’s X: https://twitter.com/blakefinucane

Boys Club Newsletter: https://boysclub.beehiiv.com/

Blake speaks with the brilliant musician Iman Europe. They have an illuminating discussion about the value of art, in particular music and music NFTs.

This convo is part of the Lens x FWB FEST coverage where Iman performed (twice!).

They speak about the music business, what goes into being an independent artist, and the role crypto tech has played in that process. Iman also recounts her journey into the crypto world and where she stands now with the space.

They continue by talking about the more personal side of being an artist and how it often takes faith and courage to continue, especially in the face of rejection. Blake also asks her to name her top 5 favourite albums of all time.

This is an incredible discussion for anyone who is an artist, who is interested in music NFTs or if you just want to listen to a super insightful, uplifting convo.

Iman’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/ImanEurope
Iman's Website: https://www.imaneurope.com/
Lens' Twitter: https://twitter.com/LensProtocol
Lens' Website: https://www.lens.xyz/
Blake’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/blakefinucane
Boys Club Newsletter: https://boysclub.beehiiv.com/

Blake speaks with Daisy Alioto, cofounder of Dirt Media. She is so ahead of the curve in her understanding of the ever changing media business and how crypto technology fits in - and the convo covers all of this.

Blake asks Daisy to explain how NFTs facilitate new business models and advertising environments. Daisy also highlights how NFTs don’t have to be investment vehicles and instead, can be used to build stronger relationships between a subscriber and a publication.

Daisy expands further on how to make media more collectible, and how she see Dirt’s drop model more akin to a streetwear company like Supreme rather than to a traditional media publication’s like Vogue.

They dive into the newsletter business too, as well as how meme coins become their own media communities, how books are the new handbags, Twitter vibe shifts and Addison Rae.

This is a must listen if you want to get a stronger grasp on where the media industry is headed and better understand your own media consumption habits and how crypto technology can fit into that.

This episode is part of Lens' FWB FEST coverage, in which Daisy was a speaker…check her brilliant talk linked below.

Daisy’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/daisandconfused

Dirt’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/dirtyverse

Daisy’s talk at FEST: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUnYbLoyplo&ab_channel=FriendsWithBenefits

Lens' Twitter: https://twitter.com/LensProtocol

Lens' Website: https://www.lens.xyz/

Blake’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/blakefinucane

Boys Club Newsletter: https://boysclub.beehiiv.com/

Blake chats with the longtime supporter and friend of Boys Club, Trevor McFedries. He’s really done it all, from founding Friends with Benefits (FWB) and creating the first AI generated influencer Lil Miquela, to being an early employee at Spotify, to DJing around the world,and producing top 10 records. He’s one of the most unique and dynamic thinkers in crypto.

Blake and him discuss a myriad of topics including art, NFTs, the difference between outworking and outthinking, what streaming was meant to be vs. what is has turned into, and how his sports background continues to inform his work ethic.

Blake also asks him about why he started FWB, the inefficiency of influencer culture, who captures the economic value from social capital, and how crypto rails have been and still can be applied to make its upsides more equitable.

You’ll come away with some super valuable insights if you care about crypto culture, however you define it.

This episode is part of Lens' FWB FEST coverage, in which Context is excited to be apart of (and Blake had a great time attending!).

Trevor’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/whatdotcd

Lens' Twitter: https://twitter.com/LensProtocol

Lens' Website: https://www.lens.xyz/

Blake’ Twitter: https://twitter.com/blakefinucane

Boys Club Newsletter: https://boysclub.beehiiv.com/

Blake speaks with the brilliant Nina Chanel Abney, world renowned multidisciplinary artist. Her resume is beyond impressive; her work is in the permanent collections of museums like The MoMa and The Whitney, and she just released her second collaboration with Nike, designing her take on the iconic Jordan 3.

Earlier this year, she was the first artist selected for Punk in Residence, an art program by CryptoPunks designed to champion creative experimentation with web 3. She released Super Punk World, her 500 piece NFT collection in May as part of the program.

Throughout this episode, you’ll get further context on Nina’s entire body of work, her artistic vision and what she stands for, while Blake and her chat about the WNBA, her Nike collab, art history, how humour translates across mediums and more. The second half of the episode is dedicated to covering Super Punk World, from its conception to its reception, to what’s next.

Accompanying Nina is the innovative gallerist and collector Todd Kramer, who provides illuminating perspectives about the business side of the art industry, what Nina has accomplished in her career thus far and The Gallery of Digital Assets (GODA) which Nina and him co-founded with Pharrell (among others).

The three of them have an inspiring and pertinent discussion that is especially relevant for crypto art and NFT collectors and anyone interested in creativity onchain.

Nina’s Twitter: https://x.com/ninachanel

Super Punk World: https://hub.cryptopunks.app/gallery/nina

Nina’s Nike Collab: https://www.nike.com/ca/launch/t/air-jordan-3-retro-x-nina-chanel-abney-bicoastal-and-malachite

Todd’s Twitter: https://x.com/toddkramer1

Blake’s Twitter: https://x.com/blakefinucane

Boys Club Newsletter: https://boysclub.beehiiv.com/

Blake speaks with Francisco Alarcon (FAR) - artist, engineer and co-founder of Taproot Wizards. They dive into all things art on Ordinals, for a fresh look on the topic.

FAR outlines the differences between creating art on Ordinals and Ethereum including their unique technical capabilities, community expectations and aesthetic trends.

They also talk about the differences (if there is any) between “Bitcoin Art” and “Ordinals.”

The convo continues with FAR chronicling the incredible origin story of Taproot Wizards, one of the fist PFP collections on Ordinals, which was also responsible for the largest transaction in Bitcoin’s history at that time. It’s a fascinating recount of the project and speaks to how the culture of Bitcoin has developed over the past decade.

They wind down by discussing Taproot Wizard’s second collection, Quantum Cats and its unique functionalities, including its ability to evolve over time. Blake also asks how one of FAR’s pieces from this collection ended up at a Sotheby’s auction.

There are so many nuances around Bitcoin and Ordinals that can only be understood through an artistic lens, which is what this conversation aims to do!

FAR: https://twitter.com/0xfar

TapRoot Wizards: https://twitter.com/taprootwizards

Quantum Cats: https://twitter.com/quantumcatsxyz

Sotheby’s Metaverse: https://twitter.com/Sothebysverse

Boys Club Newsletter: https://boysclub.beehiiv.com/

Blake: https://twitter.com/blakefinucane

Blake speaks with Natalie Stone, General Manager for CryptoPunks at Yuga Labs.

This is a CryptoPunks interview like you’ve never heard before! There is so much new info that will make you appreciate the collection and crypto art even more.

Natalie walks Blake through the 3 pillars of the CryptoPunks brand and explains “the North Star” that the collection is always orienting towards.

Blake also asks Natalie if and how she tracks the Punks floor price, how she communicates and maintains her relationship with the Punks community, as well as about the Proof Collective and how Yuga is managing another art centric brand alongside Punks.

Natalie even previews the new CryptoPunks’ book called CryptoPunks: Free to Claim and hints at some of the incredible contributors like the Chief Creative Officer at Balanciaga, Martina Tiefenthaler.

They also talk in-depth about Punks place within the traditional art world… after listening, you’ll be left with a deeper understanding of the power of art (the ultimate goal for the Context Podcast!). You’ll also have a stronger grasp on the significant role Punks play(ed) in the development of the contemporary digital art movement and how they continue to push the bounds of creativity in crypto at large.

Links:

CryptoPunks: https://cryptopunks.app/

Free to Claim: CryptoPunks Book: https://hub.cryptopunks.app/goods

Natalie Stone: https://twitter.com/NaughtalieStone

Blake Finucane: https://twitter.com/blakefinucane

Boys Club Newsletter: https://boysclub.beehiiv.com/